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Padogobius bonelli in Curone Creek (Italy) fed mainly on aquatic insects, positively selecting Chironomidae, Simuliidae, and Hydroptilidae and negatively Baetidae, possibly related to the high mobility of the latter. When studying the variation of the diet with size, a positive correlation with some big prey items was detected. Nevertheless, no differences were detected when prey diversity was considered. Finally, the huge difference in the gut content among the individuals could be related to the marked territoriality of this species in the breeding season when this study was carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study represents the first comprehensive work dealing with the dietary analysis of Caprellidea. We studied 743 specimens of 31 genera and 62 species from all around the world. Analysis of digestive contents revealed that caprellids are mainly detritivores (detritus represented the 86% of the caprellid diet), but a small percentage of species, those lacking molars belonging to the Phtisicinae, can be considered as obligate predators and feed mainly on small crustaceans (copepods and other amphipods) and polychaetes. The contribution of sponges, hydroids, macroalgae, diatoms and dinoflagellates to the caprellid diet was very low (<2%). Apart from the clear relationship between the absence of molar process and predators, no other correlations between digestive contents and mouthpart structure were found. Cluster analysis based on the dietary data indicated a patent segregation between the Phtisicinae (obligate predators) and Caprellinae (detritivores, detritivores/predators or opportunistics) and could support the hypothesis of basal divergence in two major lines of evolution: Phtisicinae and Caprogammaridae–Caprellinae. Consequently, the debate questioning if the taxon Caprellidea is a monophyletic group or not is still open. Additional morphological, molecular and behavioral studies are necessary to define the evolutionary relationships in this group of crustaceans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mating call of Isoperla bipartita is described. The male callis composed of 3–10 groups, each of 1–4 rubs. The times betweenrubs average 89.52 msec (between first and second), 43.52 msec (between secondand third) and 35.28 msec (between third and fourth). The time between twogroups averages 180.75 msec and varies from 142 to 290 msec. The female answeris composed of a beat and rub repeated at 479.09 msec intervals on averageand interspersed between the male call groups between 94 and 184 msec (mean= 118.11 msec) after the last rub of the male group. The I. bipartita call can be considered as a ‘complex and modified pattern’because the male produces calls of 1–4 rubs by group and the femaleanswers overlapping the male call by percussion-rubbing-produced signals.Moreover, it is different from other studied Iberian Isoperla calls,being probably a species-specific behavioural pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]